Srinagar, July 7 -- The Jammu and Kashmir Government has amended the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Scheme guidelines, authorising Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to earmark up to Rs.20 lakh annually from their CDF allocation to provide financial assistance for the treatment of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases.

According to a government order, the assistance will be available exclusively to patients belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and other economically weaker categories notified by the government, with the move aimed at easing the financial burden on poor families requiring expensive medical treatment.

Under the revised guidelines, MLAs can recommend financial assistance of up to Rs.5 lak...